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 CERT-LA Forum » Uses of CERT in Non-Emergencies » Ideas for using CERT in non-emergencies
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[sgerlich]

Hello All,
After attending a Captains meeting on 2/1/06, some conversation was sparked between Captain Jim Carson  (Batt. 14) and Captain Stacy Gerlich (Batt.1). We were discussing the future of our CERT Volunteers. How would you like it if you could volunteer to staff 800 ambulances and provide basic EMT level care?? What a concept. That is where it is right now, Concept.
Since I have been in the field, I have come up with several thoughts regarding how CERT volunteers can impact the communities they serve. I will keep posting these thoughts/ideas and I will be meeting with Captain Carson for further brainstorming.
I think this could work!!!!!!

[Administrator]

Please note:

"800 ambulances" refers to the 800 Series Rescue Ambulances, not 800 different ambulances.

[dncert]

What kind of training would a CERT graduate need to take in order to be basic EMT?

[sampsonjj]

[lowpro]

I would also love to see this concept take off! Sounds like a great idea.  

[LAFDCERT12A]

For Emt training check with your local fire department, commmunity college, County Dept. of Health Service, and/or State Office of Emergency Service (O.E.S.). For the L.A. area the program is 188hrs including a 8 hr. ride along with a ambulance service and a 8 hr. emergency room tour. There is now a National test. I took my class last year. To my knowlege, 9 Coordinators have taken the training and 2 are currently in class. In your local resources please don't over look your Red Cross instructors. They are valuable. In the past I have been approach by medical personnel (convent voulenteers) wanting to know if they can assist in time of disaster, I ask them to show up with their hospital I.D. and they would be put to work in the areas where they would be needed.  

[grissfd]

With today financial situation, the local goverment is going to rely on the volunteers

[mycrofft]

Someone will need to strongly advocate this to city fathers as the apparent monetary exposure is huge if you can't bring to bear "good samaritan" laws or some such.
Speaking as a former EMT, you also need ongoing training and experience. If periodic ride-alongs with local FD or other EMS agency can be arranged, so much the better. This will also encourage good communication and retention.

By the way, as a hypothetical, how would you change the equipment/supply package for a disaster ambulance versus a normal ambulance? Would you change where they are prepositioned? How would you get them mated up and issued to volunteers? (Not insurmnountable, lets discuss it!).

[cert-la.nan]

I welcome every opportunity to be trained and strongly believe that CERTs should be regularly used as the civilian corps we could be if only there were adequate organizational infrastructure in place to train, assign, and supervise us -- and to continually evaluate and perfect not only the CERT training but also a civilian CERTcorps program. I would like to have regular assignments. There could be and should be regular commitments we CERTs can elect to make on a 1,2,3,4,5 week, or even on a 1 day or 4 hour basis. I would like to see rewards for hours spent (even if only a name on an e-recognition list). CERTs who have accomplished tasks assigned can receive emergency equipment or other helpful stuff that would reduce the outrageous expenses of becoming prepared for disaster. I would like to see the most experienced CERTs shouldering the responsibilities of CERT leadership, and I would like to see some CERT infrastructure in place to make all of this happen.

While being trained I realized that seniors in high school who are over 18 years of age could have CERT training as part of their community service, and that we as CERT activists could start the ball rolling to get legislation passed for this purpose.